RileyMom's blog

Cont..The Old Capitol Museum

The Old Capitol Museum was heavily damaged in Hurricane Katrina and closed. Much of our history was lost to Katrina but we were so happy to see that the Old Capitol was going to get the complete restoration that it desperately needed to survive for future generations. The building looks awesome but all the artifacts are gone. I would call it more of an education center (or re-education center). There are many visual displays and hands on learning thingys but no real artifacts. There are comment boxes abounding & boy do I have comments for them. The Old Capitol Museum has been (much further) RECONSTRUCTED. *Wordpress has been acting crazy & I haven’t been able to finish this post-so, in the interest of not putting my foot in my mouth & saying more than I should (thank you, Mr. Duley for a much needed reminder) I will leave the the rant about the RECONSTRUCTION of The Old Capitol Museum off.

“Our own sunny south with all her flourishing institutions of a short time back is now in a perilous condition-about to be overrun by a merciless and implacable foe, and tis the duty of every freedom loving son of hers to rally to the rescue, and drive the hireling invader back, or nobly perish in the attempt.”Robert W. Banks in a letter to his father 1862

This quote comes from a display about the Yankee occupation of the Old Capitol Building. They have an original window treatment that was stolen by a Yankee soldier and later returned by his descendants. They also have a jacket that a northern soldier had made from his stolen window treatments. They were able to use these things to have new fabrics made to match. Apparently this was common. Julia Grant even took the windows from the house where she stayed in Holly Springs. (The house where she stayed with her personal slaves)

One room has been devoted to a display about the restoration of the building & that was very interesting. There is a display highlighting the 10 most endangered historic building in the state. This is a passion of mine & some might say that I have a overly romantic view/obsession (whatever) of historic buildings. I love to stand in a home & think of the lives lived there or the “reproduction legislator” and think of the men that met there…. I could have cried to see the old Chandler Mansion of Okolona on the list. One of the children walked up behind me and said “look Mom-it’s the sad house” That is my name for the Chandler Mansion. It makes me ill to see this grand old home that has seen so much and has so much history to tell, if it’s walls could talk, fall to neglect and apathy.

For Papaw

This painting of General/Senator/Statesman Edward Cary Walthall is hanging on the third floor in the Mississippi Hall of Fame.

From the interactive display in the senate chambers.

* Emily, Ellen & I went to Memphis Saturday to visit the Pink Palace Museum. I needed a fix of historic textiles after the disappointment at The Old Capitol. No, actually we went to see Images of the Infinite at the Sharpe Planetarium. We had a little time to spare on the way so we went through Holly Springs & the museum is still not open. I know all my blog readers are waiting impatiently for the Holly Springs museum to finish renovations and reopen. O.K. maybe it’s just us and Papaw. Anyway, there is no end in sight.

My Mighty Warrior

Mother’s Inspiration

Had I no little feet to guide
Along life's toilsome way,
My own more frequently might slide,
More often go astray.
But when I meet my baby's eyes,
At God's own bar I stand,
And angels draw me t'ward the skies
While Baby holds my hand.

Josiah 3

Josiah 3

Mercy Kate 5

Mercy Kate 5

Annie Lou 9

Annie Lou 9

Sarah (13)

Sarah 13

Ben 15

Ben 15

Hannah 16

Hannah 16

Jacob 18

Jacob 18

Ellen and Caleb Frederick

Caleb and Ellen

Trey, Candace and Lee Riley

Trey, Candace and Lee

Tyler, Emily, and Emma-Jane Upchurch

Tyler, Emily, and Emma-Jane

Katie

Katie

Emma-Jane

Our first grandbaby Emma-Jane, born in April 2011

Lee

Our second grandbaby Lee, born in August 2011

Mercy Kate Meeting Daddy

Stury and plump and clean and fair,
With big blue eyes and a tangle of hair,
There's a little lassie who runs to meet
Her father's step that rings on the street,
As, day after day, at the set of sun,
Father comes home when his work is done.